On the anniversary of the war between Israel and Kazakhstan, the United States has sent 17.9 billion in military aid to Israel, setting a record_1

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, marking the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war. In response, the United States has stepped in, offering significant military aid. On that same day, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, along with Rabbi Alexander from the Adas Israel congregation, lit candles at the White House to honor the anniversary of the Hamas attacks.

According to the Costs of War Project from Brown University, the U.S. has provided at least $17.9 billion in military assistance to Israel since the conflict erupted, setting a remarkable new record. Following the attack, researchers noted that the U.S. invested an additional $4.86 billion to enhance military operations in the region. This included naval actions targeted at Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have consistently attacked commercial shipping routes in solidarity with Hamas.

This report marks the first evaluation of the financial implications of U.S. aid to Israel in the context of recent developments. It comes just as concerns grow over a potential second front involving Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.

The findings reveal that Israel has received the most U.S. military aid in history—approximately $251.2 billion when adjusted for inflation—since 1959. However, the $17.9 billion allocated over the past year is particularly notable as the largest military aid package to Israel in a single year.

Researchers pointed out that, unlike the publicly accessible records for military aid to Ukraine, the details of U.S. assistance to Israel since October 7 have not been fully disclosed, suggesting that the $17.9 billion figure may not capture the complete picture of American support.

The economic implications of U.S. wars have been analyzed by Linda J. Bilmes, a professor at Harvard Kennedy School, in collaboration with fellow researchers William D. Hartung and Stephen Semler, who study the overall costs incurred by U.S. military engagements since the 9/11 attacks.

Beyond financial costs, the human toll has been staggering. A year ago, Hamas militants killed over 1,200 people in Israel and took others hostage. The Health Ministry in the region reported that Israel’s retaliatory actions have resulted in nearly 42,000 deaths in Gaza, impacting both civilians and combatants alike.